Print Week articles from March 2009

Print Week archives from March 2009

Polestar looks to grow through consolidation.(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... Polestar is gearing up to play an active role in the consolidation of the UK offset and European gravure markets as chief executive Barry Hibbert revealed that conditions are right for mergers. Speaking at this week's launch of Polestar's...

Northcliffe job cuts will double, DMGT warns.(Financial report)
March 27, 2009... Planned redundancies at regional newspaper publisher Northcliffe Media are likely to be double the initial estimate and total nearly 1,000, parent group DMGT has confirmed. Initially, DMGT, publisher of the Daily Mail, expected to make...

Printing World output halted.(Haymarket Business Media Group)(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... PrintWeek publisher Haymarket Business Media Group has suspended publication of sister title Printing World as a standalone magazine. Haymarket cited the effect of the economic slump on advertising revenue as the key reason for the...

CUP jobs could be safe following Unite talks.
March 27, 2009... Nearly half of the planned 120 job cuts at Cambridge University Press (CUP) could be saved following talks with Unite, it has emerged. Unite has fiercely fought the proposed redundancies since CUP announced that a 90-day consultation...

Xaar plans to create 100 jobs in UK.
March 27, 2009... Inkjet printhead manufacturer Xaar plans to create around 100 UK jobs by relocating part of its manufacturing facilities, currently located in Sweden. The Cambridge-based inkjet technology company has begun a consultation to move its...

RSDB's Caris plans consolidation.(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... The chief executive of one of Europe's largest printers has hinted at possible acquisitions in the UK as he reaffirms his commitment to consolidation in the industry. Speaking to PrintWeek as the company announced a pre-tax profit drop...

Card Data Management buys ID Data.
March 27, 2009... ID Data, the loyalty card printer that was one of the firms tipped to be in the running to produce the ill-fated UK ID cards and went into administration last October, has been purchased by Card Data Management (CDML), an investment vehicle...

CP&D could still be bought out of administration.(Creative Print & Design)(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... Creative Print & Design (CP&D) could yet be bought out of administration, provided the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) gives a proposed deal the go-ahead. The administrator for Welsh printer T Harding and Son, which traded as CP&D, has said...

Wolfgang Harles dies aged 61.(Obituary)(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... Wolfgang Harles, a former Haymarket group production manager, has died aged 61 after a long illness. Haymarket publishes PrintWeek and Harles worked on the title for a number of years. Group procurement director Chris King said: 'He will be...

Full Spectrum Print Media buys Heronsgate out of administration.(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... Full Spectrum Print Media has bought Heronsgate out of administration and re-employed around half of its workforce. Full Spectrum, which was founded by former Heronsgate works manager Lee Hammond and salesman Kevin Walker, bought the failed...

BPIF launches carbon calculator.(British Printing Industries Federation)(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... The BPIF has launched a carbon calculator aimed at cutting through the 'accreditation clutter' and setting transparent carbon benchmarking The calculator, which will initially be available for free to BPIF Platinum members before being rolled...

NXP Europe buys HP Indigo 3050 press.
March 27, 2009... NXP Europe has purchased an HP Indigo 3050 press, adding further digital capacity to the business. The new system was purchased from the UK's only authorised 'master reseller' for HP Indigo products, Digital People UK. Peter Doyle, managing...

Heidelberg UK to centralise telephone support service.
March 27, 2009... Heidelberg UK is set to centralise its telephone support service with the launch of a new nationwide phone number (0844 892 2010). The move is part of the company's recent reorganisation into two divisions - northern and southern - and...

Print finance sector lashes out at 'unsuccessful' SME loan plan.
March 27, 2009... The Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG), designed to boost lending to small businesses, is 'not working' and should be extended to include asset-based lending if it is to have a real impact, industry experts said this week. The EFG was...

GDS ups invoice fee for printers.
March 27, 2009... RR Donnelley Global Document Solutions (GDS) will increase its transactional fee from 5% to 7% on invoices paid after 1 April. GDS suppliers are charged a percentage fee for an invoice being paid. The 40% hike was outlined in an...

Baird Group offloads Thanet Press to end print production interests.(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... The Baird Group said it is time to let 'younger and hungrier' management teams run the manufacturing side of print as it announced its exit from print production. The Northern Ireland firm sold Thanet Press last week to Kent print and...

Polestar to build new colleges as part of training expansion.
March 27, 2009... Polestar has claimed it is leading the way for a National Skills Academy as it announced two further in-plant training colleges. Polestar Petty and Polestar Varnicoat are set to open new institutions in April and May respectively as part...

Printing arm of Blackburns shut.(Blackburns of Bolton)(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... The printing arm of Blackburns has been closed after administrator KPMG was unable to find a buyer. Blackburns called in the administrator last month. Its profitable direct mail arm was then bought in a controversial pre-pack deal by a...

PrintWeek's environment survey reveals divide in green attitudes.(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... The SME print market has far fewer plans in place than larger printers to improve its environmental credentials, according to PrintWeek's first environmental survey, which came out today. More than 300 printers and 250 print buyers...

Annual PrintIT! Awards.
March 27, 2009... Students gather for the annual PrintIT! Awards, which took place at Stationers' Hall last Friday (20 March). Student Laura Whitehouse, of Beauchamp College in Oadby, Leicestershire, won the top accolade and was presented with a MacBook Air...

New sales team for repro house.
March 27, 2009... The Reprographic Warehouse (RW), a London-based company bought by American Reprographics Company (ARC) in October last year, has appointed a new sales director, Denis Delaney, and sales manager, Kevin Hayden. The pair, who will head up...

Unemployment in UK up to 2m.
March 27, 2009... UK unemployment has breached the 2m mark for the first time in 12 years, according to figures released by the Office of National Statistics. Almost 165,000 people lost their jobs in the three months from November to January, with the...

Downturn ups demand for temporary workers.
March 27, 2009... A need to 'get jobs out the door' has led to an increased demand for temporary skilled workers at print recruitment company JPL Group, according to its managing director Mark Lennard. The business has experienced a significant hike in...

Reader Reaction: What opportunities are there for printers in the recession?
March 27, 2009... We ask whether you agree with Sir Martin Sorrell's suggestion that savvy businesses can benefit. PRINT MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT - NIGEL CLIFFE, MANAGING DIRECTOR, CLIFFEHANGER 'With the many hours spent considering reducing prices,...

Brightsource turnover soars to pounds 31m for 2008.(Financial report)(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... Brightsource managing director Peter Frings has cited 'a combination of client service and innovation' for the firm's steady growth after its turnover topped pounds 31m in 2008. The print management group's audited results reveal turnover...

Adare secures Homeloan contract.(Homeloan Management)(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... Adare has won a contract to handle print and mailing for finance provider Homeloan Management (HML). The Huddersfield-based print management firm has not specified the length or value of the contract, but has said that it is a...

Ethics key to survival, say bodies.(Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply)(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... Two procurement industry bodies have stressed that ethical and sustainable buyer-supplier relationships are key to healthy supply chains in the recession. Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) chief executive Simon Sperryn...

Legal Notices.(Public notice)
March 27, 2009... This information is extracted from the print- and publishing-related notices that appear in the London Gazette. Further Information is available from its website at www.gazettes-online.co.uk. APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATORS EWS Print Ltd...

Bodoni upgrade to aid ISO 12647.(Bodoni Systems)(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... Bodoni Systems has simplified the process of hitting ISO 12647 for firms without closed-loop colour via an upgrade to its PressSign software. PressSign 2.5 uses a colour bar for each ink key, which can be used to set the correct...

Targetcolour trials site for remote access help.(Mypressxpert.com)(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... Targetcolour has launched a subscription-based colour management, process control and print troubleshooting service - Mypressxpert.com. The firm offers a 6% reduction in makeready times, and also claims 20% reduction in reprints and a 3%...

X-Rite posts net loss of dollars 117.8m.(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... Colour specialist X-Rite announced its Q4 and full-year results last week, posting a net loss of dollars 64.7m (pounds 46.6m) for the final three months of 2008 and a loss of dollars 117.8m for the year. For the quarter, the figures...

Leycol buys Avalon platesetter to improve environmental standing.
March 27, 2009... Leycol Printers has increased efficiency across its CTP set-up after investing in an Agfa Avalon platesetter. The east London-based company has replaced an existing Galileo platesetter with the machine, which is imaging Agfa's...

Lab247 boosts capacity by adopting own CTP.
March 27, 2009... Lab247 has boosted its capacity after installing a Heidelberg Suprasetter 102P running Founder RIP and workflow and using Fuji Pro-T processless plates. The 10-staff, Epping-based company said that having its own CTP system enables it to...

Oce claims 30in JetStream 2800 is 'the fastest press in its class'.
March 27, 2009... Oce has thrown its hat into the 30in digital inkjet arena after unveiling the JetStream 2800, which it is targeting at full-colour book and newspaper production. The digital press manufacturer made the announcement at its 'Home of Color'...

Konica to demo Pro 1200 at show.(Konica Minolta shows bizhub Pro 1200 machine in Northprint 2009)(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... Konica Minolta is set to showcase its digital mono bizhub Pro 1200 machine when it exhibits at Northprint 09 in Harrogate next month. The digital manufacturer will also show the light production bizhub Pro 950 printer at Northprint under...

Totally Dynamic buys UK's first HP L65500 to boost green credentials.
March 27, 2009... Vehicle-wrapping company Totally Dynamic has reinforced its environmental qualifications and secured several new fleet contracts after picking up the UK's first HP Designjet L65500. The business, which operates nationwide, invested in the...

Adverset moves into large-format market.(Adverset Media Solutions)(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... Adverset Media Solutions has made its foray into the digital and large-format sectors after buying a new Mimaki CJV30-160 press as part of a pounds 80,000 investment. A 62Base laminator and a Fotoba WR61 cutter have also been installed...

GI Direct broadens offering and extends site with pounds 1.6m spend.(Mailing house GI Direct planning for expansion)
March 27, 2009... Mailing house GI Direct has moved into transactional mailing following a pounds 1.6m equipment spend with Sitma and the consolidation of its facilities into one site. The Leicester-based company previously had two sites on either side of...

Vivid optimistic for Northprint.(Vivid Laminating )(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... Finishing equipment specialist Vivid Laminating has slammed speculation that this year's Northprint event will be overshadowed by the financial downturn. Due to the downturn, there have been rumours that visitor numbers for the event...

Duplo International adds PUR to its DuBinder range with latest launch.
March 27, 2009... Finishing manufacturer Duplo International has added PUR binding to its range of products, with the latest in its DuBinder range. The DPB-500 PUR perfect binder follows on from the DuBinder itself, Duplo's first machine for the high-end...

Cheltenham takes over Celloglas specialisms.(Cheltenham Print Finishers)(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... Finishing company Cheltenham Print Finishers has moved into lamination following the closure of its local Celloglas coatings site. The Gloucestershire-based finisher reported an increase in its other services since it bought a new Mini 76...

Government must act on credit insurance issue, says broker Aon.
March 27, 2009... Credit insurance broker Aon Trade Credit has said that government must 'act rather than just listen' and offer support for industries, such as paper merchanting, which have suffered from the withdrawal of credit insurance. It said last...

Lateral Group signs up to Two Sides campaign to counter paper 'myths'.(National Association of Paper Merchants)(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... Lateral Group has pledged its support for the National Association of Paper Merchants' (NAPM) Two Sides campaign. The group, which consists of Data Lateral, Dialogue Solutions, Howitt and Shift Click, is the latest to join the scheme,...

Premier recycled range launched.
March 27, 2009... Premier Beswick has responded to customer demand for a fully recycled paper grade by becoming the first to stock Evolution Indigo, a 100% recycled uncoated range. The paper merchant said the product, which has been specifically developed...

Inspirational Launch.
March 27, 2009... Fedrigoni has launched Ispira, a range of papers, boards and envelopes. It is a white and coloured grade that the paper manufacturer said has a velvety effect with a smooth, high-quality surface. It is FSC-accredited and can be used for...

Editorial: Let's suspend belief and focus on print's future.(Editorial)
March 27, 2009... Even the most hardened cynics, among whom I'm sometimes counted, must admit last week's PrintIT! Awards was a welcome respite from the storm clouds hanging over the industry. For those three short hours on Friday, Proskills and a gaggle...

Comment: PrintIT!'s youngsters lift the spirits.
March 27, 2009... PrintIT!'s boost. A bout of unusual, and very welcome, cheer was brought about by PrintIT! and its fourth annual awards. From a personal point-of-view it was refreshing to discover that not all young people are of the feral,...

Comment: Technically Speaking - Offset-saturated regions are opting for inkjet as the digital divide is drawn up.
March 27, 2009... I am currently reassessing the relationship between digital and litho printing. Two interesting reports, one from Gartner and one from Infotrends, have recently been released on the position of digital printing compared with offset printing....

Profile: Printing.com - Copy shops flock to the security of the franchise model as times get tougher.
March 27, 2009... This franchise outfit has found that the recession has actually increased its business, says William Mitting. With web-to-print and online ordering all the rage in the current climate, you might have expected Printing.com to be leading...

Analysis: PrintIT! Awards - Awards flag up 'ace' career opportunities.
March 27, 2009... However, printers must do more to secure the future of the industry, discovers Darryl Danielli. When was the last time you heard print described as 'ace'? Presumably not recently, but that's how Richard Harnasz, a first-year student...

Profile: Rob Shepherd - A model, modern artisan.
March 27, 2009... Bookbinding is a vanishing craft, but one man is determined to make it viable in today's world, finds Jon Severs. In the middle of a discussion about the traditional techniques of fine bookbinding, Rob Shepherd takes out an insistently...

Better Business: Cashflow - Financing nailed.
March 27, 2009... Preparation, attention to detail and honesty are the key features of a successful financial survival plan, which can help you emerge from the recession still trading, says Jo Francis. First, the good news. There are some print businesses...

Product Portfolio: Product of the week - HP Indigo 7000.(Product/service evaluation)
March 27, 2009... HP's latest press, the Indigo 7000, takes one step closer to narrowing the technology gap between digital and litho, discovers Philip Chadwick. While there is still a place for both digital and litho print technologies, the gap between...

Product Portfolio: Me & My ... Agfa Amigo.(Interview)
March 27, 2009... David Press, studio manager at Richard Edward, has been impressed with this developer-free plate's high quality and environmental credentials. - What is it? Amigo is a developer-free plate that works in a conventional processor. ...

Product Portfolio: Tried & Tested - Shinohara 75.(Product/service evaluation)
March 27, 2009... Although pitched against presses from the industry's heavy hitters, this machine's low price secured many fans, finds Nosmot Gbadamosi. When Shinohara unveiled its latest model in 2000, there was an air of expectation; the Japanese...

Product Portfolio: Buyers' Guide - Collators.(Product/service evaluation)
March 27, 2009... Printers are increasingly opting for used and refurbished collators, finds Nosmot Gbadamosi, but it's optional extras that can set machines apart. Whether it's an in-line system or a standalone machine, the need for collators to handle...

Product Portfolio: Tom's Help Line - Concertinas and a budding author.
March 27, 2009... Tom Hall tracks down the solutions to your technical troubles. Q: We have a job in hand which is 297mm wide and 4.4m long. We are printing it onto a 508mm-wide sheet on our Xeikon 5000 plus press. Our two major problems are how to top and...

Product Portfolio: Technical Tutorial - Ghosting.(Product/service evaluation)
March 27, 2009... Ghosting is the relatively common but unwanted repetition of an image onto a printed sheet, forming a faded, ghost-like image. Check the ink and dampening form roller settings and make sure they are set correctly to the plate cylinders....

Product Portfolio: Diary.(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... APRIL GULF PRINT & PACK Location: Dubai Date: 6-9 April More information: www.gulfprint.info THE LONDON BOOKFAIR Date: 20-22 April Venue: Earls Court, London More information: www.londonbookfair.co.uk NORTHPRINT 2009...

Post Script: Q&A - Andy Skarpellis.(Interview)(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... Andy Skarpellis is production director at Precision Printing Married with three children, in his spare time he learns karate. He dreams of being carefree, but the omens were clearly not good after the baptism of fire he endured during his...

Post Script: Print's past - Le Temoin.(Brief article)
March 27, 2009... French political culture has always been freewheeling, and the conduct of its leaders has blessed France with a strong culture of satirical political journalism. An early example of French political satire is Maurice Joly's Le dialogue aux...

Post Script: The stock's gone down so you ain't comin' in!
March 27, 2009... Post Script is this week calling for a reinforcement of British reserve following reports that an unprecedented rise in violence and disruption at AGMs has forced US companies to beef up security. US-headquartered print giant RR Donnelley...

Post Script: Memory Lane.
March 27, 2009... ONE YEAR AGO: Bezier set its sights on overseas expansion following the acquisition of Coutts Retail Communications... 4DM boosted its turnover to pounds 20m after acquiring marketing agency Direct Link for an undisclosed sum... FIVE...

Sorrell - recession may be tough but it will create opportunities.
March 20, 2009... Advertising guru Sir Martin Sorrell warned this week that Western Europe was on the verge of an 'L-shaped' recession, but that the downturn would generate new media and 'green' opportunities. 'People tend to think that corporate social...

Heronsgate managers hopeful of rescue bid.(Full Spectrum Print Media )(Brief article)
March 20, 2009... Digital and litho printer Heronsgate has been placed into administration, although a deal to sell the business to newly formed Full Spectrum Print Media was understood to be imminent as PrintWeek went to press. The pounds 7m-turnover...

De La Rue adds 70 staff to meet rising demand.(Brief article)
March 20, 2009... De La Rue is to create 70 new production jobs in the North East following an increase in demand for foreign currency. The bank note printer declined to comment on whether it had won new contracts, but said that developing countries were...

Prinovis in talks with Ross Borton.(gravure giant Prinovis Liverpool negotiation with sales director Ross Borton)(Brief article)
March 20, 2009... German-owned gravure giant Prinovis Liverpool has entered into a period of consultation with its UK sales director Ross Borton. It is understood that Borton is currently on gardening leave and that Prinovis is not in consultation with any...

Spirax praised for closure conduct.(Renz (UK) contracts with Spirax Binding )(Brief article)
March 20, 2009... Renz (UK) has praised failed finisher Spirax Binding for fulfilling its obligations to suppliers following its closure last year. Iain Bullock, managing director of Renz (UK), said that Hamish Milne, managing director of the Perth-based...

Resource Print Solutions sponsors Leeds Sports Awards.(Brief article)
March 20, 2009... Resource Print Solutions (RPS) has sponsored the recent annual Leeds Sports Awards, held at Headingley Carnegie. The Leeds-based company provided programmes, schedules, branding and award brochures for the evening that recognised the city's...

Vision in Print seminar.
March 20, 2009... Vision in Print has revealed that attendees of its regional Cash and Cost Reduction seminar later this month will be offered tips that could lead to substantial cost savings. The body has conducted analysis that shows a typical pounds...

Screwfix appoints Altavia Htt.
March 20, 2009... Altavia Htt has been appointed by Screwfix, the tool supplier, to provide print management services. The quarterly Screwfix catalogue, which features 16,000 stock lines, will be among the items produced John Mewett, marketing director for...

Fujifilm Sericol to give first UK showing of printer.(Sign & Digital UK)(Brief article)
March 20, 2009... Fujifilm Sericol will the give first UK showing of the Acuity Advance X2 wide-format UV inkjet printer and focus on Euromedia, its dedicated offering for large-format printing, at this year's Sign & Digital UK. The Acuity Advance X2, launched...

Polestar to host open days.(Brief article)
March 20, 2009... Polestar is hosting a series of open days to launch Intelligent Colour, a personalisation and digital printing service that will provide customers with a range of information on topics including cross media and transactional mailing. The...

BPIF, Unite and PCC offer awards.(British Printing Industries Federation)(Printer's Charitable Corporation)(Brief article)
March 20, 2009... The BPIF, Unite and the Printer's Charitable Corporation (PCC) are offering awards of pounds 2,500 to fund budding printers as part of the Print Futures Awards. Anyone aged 16-30 currently living in the UK can submit applications before 30...

AccessPlus secures accreditation.(BOSS-EC environmental certificate for 2009)(Brief article)
March 20, 2009... AccessPlus, the print management company, has secured ISO 14001 at its Swindon headquarters. The accreditation comes on the back of its parent company Office2office being awarded the BOSS-EC environmental certificate for 2009. ...

Johnston hopeful of Irish titles sale as revenues drop by 12.4%.(Financial report)
March 20, 2009... Johnston Press last week warned of uncertainty over its 'ability to trade' if it cannot restructure its debt or sell its Irish titles. In its full-year results, released last week, the company described the last year as a 'particularly...

Agfa signs distribution deal for Canon presses.
March 20, 2009... Print giants Agfa and Canon have signed a distribution deal that will enable Agfa to distribute Canon's imagePress digital colour presses in the UK. Under the terms of the deal, Agfa will market the Canon range, which includes the...

Second investor in JF Print buyout revealed.(Redwood Books)(Brief article)
March 20, 2009... Former Redwood Books managing director Keith Johnson has been unveiled as the second investor behind JF Print's acquisition of the book manufacturing arm of Haynes Publishing Group earlier this month. He joins former Mateu Cromo UK sales...

Century gives up search for buyer.(Century Web Offset administrator Smith & Williamson)(Brief article)
March 20, 2009... Administrators for Cornwall-based Century Web Offset have called off their search for a buyer, claiming that the high number of similar administrations had ruined any chance of a sale. Greg Palfrey, joint administrator with Smith &...

PM needs to stay loyal to survive, says Saysell.(print management companies )(Brief article)
March 20, 2009... Good print management companies have had a positive impact on the industry, but those that chase price alone with no loyalty to their clients will fail in the current market, according to industry figures. Print management has caused...

MPS ups staff for Cow & Gate deal.
March 20, 2009... Mail & Print Services (MPS) has upped staff levels by a third after landing a pounds 500,000 digital mailing contract with Dumex, owner of Cow & Gate. The Somerset-based direct mail company has taken on new employees to handle extra...

Reader reaction: What form should the National Skills Academy (NSA) take?
March 20, 2009... We ask for your views on what Proskills' new academy for print training should focus upon. PAPER MERCHANT - Bob Ide, marketing director, PaperCo 'Time and money are key issues that deter printers from training, so whatever is offered...

Henry Ling buys SM 102 to expand colour litho.
March 20, 2009... Henry Ling has expanded its colour capacity after becoming the first UK company to take delivery of a Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 102 with inline Inpress Control. The five-colour B1 perfector replaces a two-colour SM 102 and comes...

BJ's consolidates with Ryobi buy.
March 20, 2009... BJ's Print & Design has bought a secondhand Ryobi 784E from Apex Digital Graphics as it consolidates its operations into one unit. The Stamford, Lincolnshire-based, B2 printer said it had boosted efficiencies without increasing overheads...